In this interview, Lily Elise (who has been featured here before) graciously shares a few minutes of her time with us to discuss influences, movitations, and her newest single “Let Me Down”.

We’ve featured you before but let’s dive a little deeper into the artist and the music. What attracted you to this genre or style of music?

I’m down with so many different styles & genres so I like to think they all affect what my music sounds like. You can hear pop, R&B, a little alternative…I try to walk that line.

How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?

Well I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I started writing songs around 10, but never showed them to anybody. Songs were like my diary. I started writing professionally about 4 years ago, and it took me awhile to really find my own sound because I love so many different types of music. So, my first real release, as me, was the Oliver EP which I started releasing a little over a year ago.

Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?

Everything I do, see & hear influences my music. When I go in the studio, whatever I’m feeling that day gets put down into the song.

In terms of staying motivated… Sometimes it’s hard man. Somedays it’s like, who do I think I am…and other days I feel like I can conquer the world through music. No matter what, I just trust that everything happens for a reason and that I have a duty to share music with people, so that’s what I do. If one person is affected, it’s all worth it.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

I always work with the intention of creating something that I really feel is honest and real. With “Let Me Down” everything came together like that.

What was the last song you listened to?

Surprise Yourself – Jack Garratt ??????

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

I’m not cool enough to have a record player, I just rock with my mp3s like a good millennial.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I listen to Spotify mostly. I think it’s dope that they still support new &/or unknown artists by putting them on playlists etc, for no other reason than helping listeners discover good music.

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?

No one cares until everyone cares. As an independent artist, it’s 10x harder to get the same opportunities as signed artists because the labels still have so much pull with radios, booking agents, etc. So, we have to work twice as hard, but it’s worth it to me to be able to maintain creative control.

Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you perform?

I am actually on tour with Don Henley right now. I do my own shows here and there, but I’d love to do a live stream sometime soon as well!

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?

My website has all my socials, music, pics and videos but I’m always down to hang on Instagram (@lillianaire) & Twitter (@lilyelise) too.

Oh and snapchat (@lilyanaire)!

Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?

Thanks for the support! And I gotta shout out and say thank you to my manager, Elissa Felman, because she works her ass off and I’d be nowhere without her 🙂